K2 Sports Athlete of The Month: Bailey Bard

The four-time all state track and field star, Bailey Bard, is always one step ahead.

"It's
kind of funny to me because I don't think of myself as beings super
fast. That puts it into perspective that I finished that far ahead that I
can turn around and watch," Bard said. "I wanted to win all four at state, I did that, so that's awesome."

The
Big Horn senior came in first place in the 2A 100 and 200 meter dashes,
300 meter hurdles and helped her team win the 4 by one hundred meter
relay.

"I went up to my coach after the 200 and I couldn't help but cry and he cried. It was really emotional, it was awesome."

"The
last four years we have been working hard together. I've been trying to
get track to something respectful in Big Horn. I've had some great help
with the coaches," Bard said. Coach Kirk McLuaghlin added, "You know
she is special to me. We've developed quite a relationship and
definitely going to be missed."

Bard will be missed as the leader in the weight room for her team.

"Bailey
has been right there in the weight room, competing in other sports and
busting her butt in track," McLaughlin said.

How intense were your workouts this year?

"It
was pretty good year of workouts. My coach really pushes the weight
room and I got on board with that. I think that had a lot to do with
it," Bard said. She may not miss...

"Probably
just bench because I don't like to do arms, it's all legs for me," Bard
said. "I'm looking forward to the next chapter, but if I could redo
this season I would just for the fun moments and the memories."

Would
you like to have her for another year? "Absolutely, let's just get
those rules taken care of so we have her one more year," McLaughlin said.

"I've
just been trying not to think about it, but now it's kind of hitting
me. It's kind of surreal," Bard said. "My coaches are just so
inspiring..That's definitely been my inspiration. I wanted to make them
proud."

With a total of ten 1st place medals over four years, there's no doubt her coaches are proud.

"I've just had so much fun, I don't think I could give it up."

She won't have to, Bard will run track at Rocky Mountain in Billings
next year.